SAN ANTONIO, TX (June 24, 2013) – Leading Edge Certification (LEC), a national Alliance of nonprofits, universities and educational agencies, today announced from ISTE’s Annual Conference the launch of its third certification: Leading Edge Certification for the Digital Educator. Leading Edge Certification for the Digital Educator is geared toward classroom teachers and is based on the National Education Technology Plan, Common Core State Standards, and the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). LEC Digital Educator consists of eight modules taught in a combination of synchronous and asynchronous trainings. Upon completion of LEC Digital Educator Certification, educators will be able to identify, define and put into practice what it means to be an effective Digital Educator. The LEC Digital Educator curriculum includes modules such as Pedagogy, Digital Literacy and Citizenship, Data Literacy, Curation and Creation, Communication and Collaboration, and Learning Environments. Participants will create and teach a classroom lesson plan based upon each module's content. The 8-week course culminates with an electronic portfolio that showcases how participants will create an optimal learning environment utilizing their own pedagogical philosophy with the content and technology from the LEC Digital Educator certification program. “We are very excited about the launch of LEC Digital Educator and its potential to significantly impact teaching and learning in today’s classroom,” said Burt Lo, Chair of Leading Edge Digital Educator Certification and Manager of Instructional Technology and Online Learning for Santa Clara County Office of Education. “Already, through the recently completed pilot of LEC Digital Educator, we are seeing teachers utilizing technology-enhanced projects and learning activities that encourage students to think critically, collaborate, and create.” LEC Digital Educator train-the-trainers will begin the certification process this Summer, and once completed, LEC Digital Educator trainings will be available nationwide, and are expected to begin in Fall 2013. LEC Digital Educator will be offered by both Core and Stakeholder Alliance members. To find a Leading Edge Certification training near you, visit the Leading Edge Certification Training Page. Leading Edge Certification Digital Educator is the third certification available, and joins the LEC Online & Blended Teacher and LEC Administrator certification programs. To find out more about Leading Edge Certification and the Leading Edge Alliance, visit www.leadingedgecertification.org. # # #About Leading Edge Certification Leading Edge Certification (LEC) is a national certification program in educational technology and curriculum innovation. Created by an Alliance of nonprofits, universities and educational agencies, LEC is the first national certification program of its kind, and is platform and vendor neutral. LEC for the Online and Blended Teacher, LEC for the Administrator and LEC for the Digital Educator are available. Visit www.leadingedgecertification.org to find out more.Leading Edge Alliance Members, Digital Educator CertificationCore Alliance Members: California Technology Assistance Project, CUE, eTech Ohio, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, New Media Consortium, Orange County Department of Education, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Technology Information Center for Administrative LeadershipStakeholder Alliance Members: Alameda County Office of Education, Common Sense Media, Contra Costa County Office of Education, New Mexico Society for Technology in Education, San Diego County Office of EducationSupporter Alliance Members: Center for Digital Education, Fresno Pacific UniversityMedia Contact: Beth Cherry, B. Cherry Communications 301-500-9189, beth@bcherrycommunications.com